I'm actually pleased with this turn of events. I'd rather pay $6-$10 to fill out my Persona collection than pay $30 for a slightly better PSP version. Plus, this way gets bonus points for nostalgia (the original P2:EP script was one of the first decent translations Atlus USA did).

Newly remixed music similar to how the IS soundtrack was done.
A finely tuned battle system that improved on P2:ISPSP's system.
A side story featuring Tatsuya exclusively prior to joining the group.
Updated visuals and clear crisp graphics.
Data Transfer from previous game's save file.

Ofcourse they could. But they don't want to. How does that negate the years of their fancentric policies?

Not localising EP and the Arena region lock in the same year are the opposite of fan-centric. Building trust takes a long time, erasing it takes a second.

Originally Posted by Robert at Zeboyd Games

I'm actually pleased with this turn of events. I'd rather pay $6-$10 to fill out my Persona collection than pay $30 for a slightly better PSP version. Plus, this way gets bonus points for nostalgia (the original P2:EP script was one of the first decent translations Atlus USA did).

If I even get to play this, then I'll really miss the Arranged soundtrack. I hate listening to old school MIDI stuff (With a few exceptions. DKC2 is still glorious).

Because while this is an ok compromise, it is not the optimal outcome and people need to know what they are missing out on.

The psp release of EP *is* higher quality product. There is no doubt about it, but for those who face the choice of older product versus nothing at all, or importing and learning a new language potentially, etc... the choice is now clear.

If it makes you feel any better, before EP was picked up for US release I bought IS and EP and played through them in Japanese and learned the language.
I also even wrote a guide with some chick named Dolies on geocities for EP. It was fun.

I think one day we'll here about this and the Arena region lock as things on a list of shit that wouldn't have happened if Index hasn't got all corporate.

Considering every ArcSystems Works game prior to Persona 4 Arena has the option to use full English voices/text or full Japanese voices/text... I've always assumed that something mandated this for P4A as a result of the partnership, then someone else (Aniplex?) mandated the region lock if they were going to do that.

I really don't think Atlus/Index just did it for more money, but rather their hand being forced. My guess is that Aniplex had a part in this too, given they've got a previous track record for it.

Already own the original, so I was hoping we'd get the PSP version someday. I guess I could still buy it if I want to play EP on the go.
But yeah, after this, it pretty cut any remaining chances of localizing the PSP version.

Best case scenario going forward is that the Vita actually becomes half successful, and a year or so after the successful release of Persona 5: Golden on the device, Atlus can put out a "Persona 2 Collection" with both EP and IS bundled together.

Newly remixed music similar to how the IS soundtrack was done.
A finely tuned battle system that improved on P2:ISPSP's system.
A side story featuring Tatsuya exclusively prior to joining the group.
Updated visuals and clear crisp graphics.
Data Transfer from previous game's save file.

Considering every ArcSystems Works game prior to Persona 4 Arena has the option to use full English voices/text or full Japanese voices/text... I've always assumed that something mandated this for P4A as a result of the partnership, then someone else (Aniplex?) mandated the region lock if they were going to do that.

I really don't think Atlus/Index just did it for more money, but rather their hand being forced. My guess is that Aniplex had a part in this too, given they've got a previous track record for it.

Yeah, I definitely think it was something pushed on them and they obviously can't say explicitly what it was. I'm sure they'd love to. The amount of "You fucked me over, Atlus! It's over!" from fans is just showing how fickle some people can be.

Nice, maybe I was wrong about there probably being some contract problem that inhibited it's release.

And yeah, I would be happy to take the PSP version instead, especially as I have the PS1 disc and the PSP version could iron out localization inconsistencies brought about by P1's hackjob, but this is fantastic for everyone that didn't luck out or get it immediately upon release (it was technically a late Christmas gift for me thanks to delays).

Nich you beautiful man, I am going to pretend you organized this single-handedly.

Nah, but I'm happy this is at least known now. I wrote a PSBlog article about it that will probably go up in a couple weeks, which touches on why the PSP version couldn't happen--and that's a "couldn't," not a "didn't," which is sadly all I'll ever really be able to say. It didn't have anything to do with fears of low sales.

Nah, but I'm happy this is at least known now. I wrote a PSBlog article about it that will probably go up in a couple weeks, which touches on why the PSP version couldn't happen--and that's a "couldn't," not a "didn't," which is sadly all I'll ever really be able to say. It didn't have anything to do with fears of low sales.

Nah, but I'm happy this is at least known now. I wrote a PSBlog article about it that will probably go up in a couple weeks, which touches on why the PSP version couldn't happen--and that's a "couldn't," not a "didn't," which is sadly all I'll ever really be able to say. It didn't have anything to do with fears of low sales.

Nah, but I'm happy this is at least known now. I wrote a PSBlog article about it that will probably go up in a couple weeks, which touches on why the PSP version couldn't happen--and that's a "couldn't," not a "didn't," which is sadly all I'll ever really be able to say. It didn't have anything to do with fears of low sales.

Nah, but I'm happy this is at least known now. I wrote a PSBlog article about it that will probably go up in a couple weeks, which touches on why the PSP version couldn't happen--and that's a "couldn't," not a "didn't," which is sadly all I'll ever really be able to say. It didn't have anything to do with fears of low sales.

Yeah, I definitely think it was something pushed on them and they obviously can't say explicitly what it was. I'm sure they'd love to. The amount of "You fucked me over, Atlus! It's over!" from fans is just showing how fickle some people can be.

YOU CALLIN' ME FICKLE?

Originally Posted by NichM

Nah, but I'm happy this is at least known now. I wrote a PSBlog article about it that will probably go up in a couple weeks, which touches on why the PSP version couldn't happen--and that's a "couldn't," not a "didn't," which is sadly all I'll ever really be able to say. It didn't have anything to do with fears of low sales.

Final nail in the coffin.

Whelp. :(

Guess it's time to turn to EBay for that Arrange CD then. Man, this is really disappointing.

Nah, but I'm happy this is at least known now. I wrote a PSBlog article about it that will probably go up in a couple weeks, which touches on why the PSP version couldn't happen--and that's a "couldn't," not a "didn't," which is sadly all I'll ever really be able to say. It didn't have anything to do with fears of low sales.

The plus side to this is that the Persona series seems to be doing well, and game companies love to do remakes. Wait a few years until some point where some of these issues have been resolved and maybe we'll see another Persona 2 release for some future console. In the mean time fans can try out the PS1 original.

Frankly, I'd be shocked if it was anything that couldn't be summarized as "Index is a pack of idiots who have their heads so far up their collective, xenophobic assholes that they make Zynga look downright smart."

Nah, but I'm happy this is at least known now. I wrote a PSBlog article about it that will probably go up in a couple weeks, which touches on why the PSP version couldn't happen--and that's a "couldn't," not a "didn't," which is sadly all I'll ever really be able to say. It didn't have anything to do with fears of low sales.

Please, please, consider releasing this on EU PSN as a PS1 import, since you guys publish to EU PSN.

Also, thanks for killing the last bit of hope for EP PSP I had, I feel like I can let go now.

Frankly, I'd be shocked if it was anything that couldn't be summarized as "Index is a pack of idiots who have their heads so far up their collective, xenophobic assholes that they make Zynga look downright smart."

Nah, but I'm happy this is at least known now. I wrote a PSBlog article about it that will probably go up in a couple weeks, which touches on why the PSP version couldn't happen--and that's a "couldn't," not a "didn't," which is sadly all I'll ever really be able to say. It didn't have anything to do with fears of low sales.

Nah, but I'm happy this is at least known now. I wrote a PSBlog article about it that will probably go up in a couple weeks, which touches on why the PSP version couldn't happen--and that's a "couldn't," not a "didn't," which is sadly all I'll ever really be able to say. It didn't have anything to do with fears of low sales.